The document discusses methods for gathering and interpreting library assessment data to enhance library services and collections. It covers different types of data, including local qualitative data and benchmarking data, and offers advice on how to effectively present findings. Challenges and limitations in measuring service impact and usage are also acknowledged.

1. LEVERAGINGAND INTERPRETING LIBRARY ASSESSMENT DATA
PULLINGTHEWHEAT FROMTHE CHAFF
Elizabeth Brown
Director of Assessment and Scholarly Communications
Binghamton University Libraries
April 20, 2016
Image Source: Flickr Public Domain

2. GATHERINGAND USINGASSESSMENT DATA
¡ Library assessment data – the basics
¡ Special Projects Data
¡ Local Qualitative Data
¡ Benchmarking Data
¡ Telling a story – some advice
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/16140095136/in/album-72157631115747450/

3. COLLECTINGASSESSMENT DATA –THE BASICS
¡ Service point activity – reference, instruction, ILL, circulation, institutional repository
input,gate counts for buildings, course reserves
¡ Collections – items added, electronic and print format, media and audiovisual items,
linear feet manuscripts
¡ Staffing – FTE, salaries and wages, fringe benefits, librarians, paraprofessional, student
levels
¡ Infrastructure – preservation, computers and technology, catalog and supporting
tools to access collections

4. ACRL,ARL,AND IPEDS
¡ Major statistical reports requestedof
U.S. academic libraries
¡ Annual collection periods based on
most recent fiscal year data
¡ Varying levels of public data available
for non-members
¡ Analysis and comparison tools for
benchmarkinglibrary services,
collections,andstaffing support
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/19176634162/in/album-72157631115747450/

5. ACRL ANNUAL STATISTICS
¡ AnnualWorksheet anddirections information:
https://acrl.countingopinions.com/
¡ ACRL Metrics – analysis tool to compare institutions
¡ General Information:http://www.acrlmetrics.com/
¡ Subscription Information:http://www.acrlmetrics.com/package.php

6. ARL STATISTICS & SALARY SURVEYS
¡ More information: http://www.arlstatistics.org/about/survey_pp
¡ AnnualARL Statistics Report published in print and as an ebook:
http://arlstatistics.org/home
¡ ARL Statistics Analytics available as a subscription: http://arlstatistics.org/analytics
¡ Selected statistics and table data are open access: http://arlstatistics.org/publications

7. IPEDSANNUAL LIBRARY STATISTICS
¡ IPEDS = Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System
¡ NCES = National Center for Education Statistics
¡ Use collected IPEDs data (2013-2014):http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/Home/UseTheData
Note: academic library data is currently provisional – final data not yet released
¡ Library Statistics Program (2000-2012):
https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/academic.asp

8. SOME LIMITATIONS
¡ Measurements show volume and
activity,some usage
¡ Impact of services and collections
not available
¡ Reach of activities and services
not clear
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/16679247110/in/album-72157631115747450/

9. SPECIAL PROJECTS DATA
¡ How are students using computer areas (information commons) in the
library?
¡ How can stacks overflow be reduced by analyzing circulation and
acquisition patterns by call number?
¡ Large lecture classes – what are they and are we reaching them?
¡ Publication activity of faculty and potential journal hosting opportunities
– where are they?
¡ How are collection needs changing with new faculty hires?

10. LOCAL QUALITATIVE DATA – SOME EXAMPLES
¡ Focus group information from specific users
¡ Secret shopper and other techniques for
measuring quality of service
¡ LibQUAL+ and LibQUAL+ lite surveys:
https://www.libqual.org/home
¡ Individualized library surveys:Triennial Survey
(University of Washington):
http://www.lib.washington.edu/assessment/surveys/
triennial
¡ Individualized topical surveys
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/16251173169/in/album-72157631115747450/

11. BENCHMARKING DATA SOURCES
¡ Library Journal’s Periodical Price Survey (Annual) :
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/04/publishing/whole-lotta-
shakin-goin-on-periodicals-price-survey-2015/
¡ Library and Book Trade Almanac (formerly Bowker Annual):
http://books.infotoday.com/directories/Library-and-Book-
Trade-Almanac.shtml
¡ Institutional and Student ROI for library services
(Robert Dugan,University ofWest Florida):
http://libguides.uwf.edu/c.php?g=215171&p=1420704
¡ Annual Library Systems Report (Marshall Breeding):
http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2015/05/01/library-
systems-report/
Image Source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/16200135443/in/album-
72157631115747450/

12. TELLINGA STORYWITH DATA – SOME ADVICE
¡ Remember your audience
¡ Match content to knowledge level
¡ Make message succinct
¡ Link analysis to existing data
¡ Show trends clearly – use simple
graphs and charts
¡ Make quotes for qualitative data –
intersperse with data to emphasize
messageImage Source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/16140094366/in/album-
72157631115747450/

13. THANKYOU!
Elizabeth Brown
ebrown@binghamton.edu
607-777-4882
Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/ebrown
Thanks to Heather at flickr for images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/
Image Source: Flckr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/woolgenie/21001156006/in/album-72157631115747450/